On May 31, the same day we celebrate the Most Holy Trinity, the Church also honors one of the most tender moments in the Gospel — the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Two women, two miraculous pregnancies, one encounter overflowing with grace. This prayer is for all of us who need to bring Christ to someone else today.
What Is the Feast of the Visitation?
The Visitation commemorates the journey Mary made to visit her cousin Elizabeth shortly after the Annunciation. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth recognized the presence of Jesus in Mary’s womb and cried out:
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”
Mary responded with the Magnificat — one of the most beautiful prayers in all of Scripture. The feast is celebrated on May 31.
When Should You Pray This Prayer?
Pray this prayer when you:
- Feel called to bring comfort or help to someone in need
- Are pregnant or accompanying someone who is
- Need courage to share your faith with others
- Want to honor Mary’s example of service and humility
- Are going through a time of waiting, like Elizabeth and Mary
- Simply want to sit with this beautiful Gospel moment
Prayer for the Visitation of Mary
Mary,
you did not keep the gift to yourself.
The moment you received Jesus,
you went — in haste —
to share him
with someone who needed him.
You walked through the hill country,
not knowing exactly what would happen,
trusting only
that God had asked this of you.
And when you arrived,
John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb,
and Elizabeth was filled
with the Holy Spirit,
and the house
was full of God.
Teach us to do the same.
Teach us to go —
to the cousin who is alone,
to the friend who is struggling,
to the family member
no one visits anymore.
Teach us to bring Christ with us
not in grand gestures
but in simple presence,
in a listening ear,
in a hand that holds.
And when we arrive,
may the presence of Christ go with us —
unannounced,
unplanned,
but unmistakably real.
Amen.
The Magnificat
Mary’s response to Elizabeth is one of the most powerful prayers ever spoken. We pray it with her today:
My soul proclaims
the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices
in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor
on his lowly servant.
From this day
all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy
on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud
in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty
from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry
with good things,
and the rich
he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help
of his servant Israel,
for he has remembered
his promise of mercy,
the promise he made
to our fathers,
to Abraham
and his children forever.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.
Related Prayers
- Prayer for the Feast of the Holy Trinity — celebrated on the same day, May 31
- Month of Mary Devotions — more ways to honor Mary this May
- Novena to Our Lady of the Rosary — pray with Mary throughout the month
- Visitation of Mary — the full reflection on this feast
Frequently Asked Questions
The Feast of the Visitation commemorates the moment Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth shortly after the Annunciation. During this encounter, Elizabeth recognized Jesus in Mary’s womb, and Mary proclaimed the Magnificat.
The Feast of the Visitation is celebrated on May 31 in the Roman Catholic Church.
The Magnificat is Mary’s hymn of praise found in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:46–55). It begins with the words, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord.”
The Visitation reveals Mary’s humility, charity, and faith. It also marks the first meeting of Jesus and John the Baptist before their birth.
Share this prayer with someone you’ve been meaning to visit.
